How Many Pounds of Coffee Cherries Can a Coffee Tree Produce in a Year - How to Transplant Drought-Affected Coffee Trees

Coffee Cultivation and Harvesting

In FrontStreet Coffee's plantations, Typica and Bourbon varieties are compared with those of neighboring coffee farmers. The farmers cultivate the Catimor variety, planting it densely at 330 plants per mu. Starting from the fifth year, each mu yields 300kg, averaging about one kilogram per tree. Due to different tree structures, FrontStreet Coffee's Typica and Bourbon varieties cannot be planted at this density. Their planting density must be half as much, and their yield is only one-third of Catimor's, with each tree producing approximately 0.3-0.4kg. This is also why Arabica coffee beans are relatively expensive.

Harvesting Methods

Coffee farmers who produce lower-grade coffee beans prefer labor-saving methods for harvesting. However, this approach compromises coffee flavor and reduces the coffee grade due to impure quality. In some African regions, coffee beans are harvested by shaking the coffee trees, causing fruits to fall to the ground, where they are picked up before they rot and decay. In most parts of Brazil, where secondary coffee is produced, the harvesting method involves stripping all leaves, flowers, overripe and unripe fruits from the branches at once. Coffee trees subjected to such harsh treatment require two years to recover.

Coffee Tree Characteristics

The sight of coffee trees blooming with delicate white flowers is a spectacular rarity, with a fragrance resembling orange blossoms and jasmine. Sometimes only a single tree blooms alone, like a young bride; other times, entire coffee plantations burst forth in white flowers, creating a mesmerizing sea of white beauty that is breathtaking yet ephemeral. Within two to three days, petals scatter with the wind, leaving only their fragrance lingering in the air.

Soon after, small fruits appear in clusters, initially green, then turning yellow, followed by red and crimson, becoming ready for harvest when they turn almost black. In Jamaica, bats are the first to know when the fruits are ripe—they suck the coffee pulp at night, signaling to farmers that the fruits are mature and harvesting can begin. The oval fruits cluster tightly around the branches, while long, smooth, dark green, bay-like leaves grow opposite each other on the branches. The leaves facing the sun are harder, while the underside is softer and paler, with edges forming a fan shape. Branches also grow opposite each other from the main trunk.

Growth and Development

Evergreen coffee trees are typically cultivated in nurseries, growing into seedlings before being transplanted to coffee plantations after one year, following exactly the methods that ancient Arabs used to cultivate coffee trees. During the first four to five years of growth, coffee trees continuously develop deep roots, grow their trunks upward, and develop branches into an umbrella shape to eventually bear abundant fruit.

Coffee Varieties

Commercially, there are three main coffee varieties, each with different subcategories. Arabica coffee is the most important and highest quality coffee bean, originating from Ethiopia and currently the most widely cultivated coffee. Liberica coffee originates from Liberia, while Robusta comes from Congo. The latter name indicates its robust nature, able to withstand harsh climates and resist disease; it requires minimal human care during land preparation, weeding, and pruning, and can grow wild in forest lands. Although its taste is more bitter than Arabica and its quality is significantly inferior, most Africans drink Robusta coffee. Due to its high yield, it is used to make instant coffee. Arabica coffee is suitable for growing in high mountains at altitudes between 2,000-6,500 feet—the higher the altitude, the better the quality. Liberica and Robusta are best planted below 2,000 feet.

Growing Conditions

Coffee trees can only grow in tropical and subtropical regions. Within the "coffee belt," coffee trees can grow in different climates, soils, altitudes, and rainfall levels. In Africa's hot, humid valleys and forest rainforests, coffee trees thrive; in Central America's cool, foggy, and windy conditions, they still produce high-quality coffee beans; in the Caribbean region, where climate is variable—alternating between drought and storms—they continue to flower and bear fruit. These factors are the secrets behind the diverse flavors and numerous varieties of coffee beans.

Ideal Growing Environment

The ideal growing environment has temperatures between 65-75°F, appropriate altitude, and annual rainfall (between 40-120 inches). The timing of rainfall is crucial—during the maturation period, intermittent heavy rain and strong sunlight are ideal, while a period of dry weather is needed during harvest. Any type of soil is suitable, but the best soil is a mixture of decomposed volcanic soil, humus, and well-aerated, permeable soil.

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473